How to be diplomatic?

Skintski · 22 February 2015 at 5:51PM

I've had a family member recently sign up to one of these Multi Level Marketing jobs selling various health products and now I'm required for a chat.

I really don't agree with these kind of companies as no one I know who has been involved in such a thing has ever made any money. They just strike me as a bit of a scam and rely more on recruitment than the product being any good.

How do you distance yourself from this kind of thing without seeming unsupportive of your family member? I don't want to upset anyone but I really don't want any part of it.

All advice gratefully received.

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good_advice · 22 February 2015 at 6:01PM

Hiya
How close is the family member? I mean are they living in your home?
If some whare else I like to say you cannot live their lives for them.

With our son and daughters we have come to an understanding - they listen to our good advice and then make up there own minds.

How do you distance yourself = learn to zip it! keep quiet.

Skintski · 22 February 2015 at 6:08PM

Hiya, no we don't live in the same home but it is a close family member. I don't really want to have to have the conversation with them but I know it will come. I work in sales myself but for a reputable company who do not rely on a business model such as this but I know sales can be tough. What to do...what to do...

Dimey · 22 February 2015 at 6:13PM

Can you just be straight with her?

Tell you wish her all the best with her new venture but you personally don't agree with that kind of marketing so you'd rather not be involved with it. Tell her you have researched it so you know you won't change your mind. But hey - you still love her and want her to do well. So .... lets talk about something else.

FatVonD · 22 February 2015 at 6:13PM

Just say, 'I wish you luck with it but it's not for me'.

jess1974 · 22 February 2015 at 6:32PM

Ohhh noooo how awkward....i detest being invited to Body Shop parties..... Jamie Oliver at Home etc etc...at least these are not hosted by members of my family and i lie and say i am at work....poor you x

PlutoinCapricorn · 22 February 2015 at 6:35PM

I agree that it is best to be straight right from the start, using the broken record technique if necessary. Keep repeating "I wish you all the best with this, but it is not for me."

Skintski · 22 February 2015 at 6:40PM

Thanks folks. I think I was hoping for some miracle way of getting out of it but looks like it's time to grow a pair.

DigForVictory · 22 February 2015 at 6:58PM

Encourage her sideways but claim a deceased relative's advice to "never mix business with family".

Almost anyone on the properties board would say don't rent/lease to family, so there are plenty of names to borrow for your relative if you haven't a Polonius somewhere on the family tree already...

theoretica · 22 February 2015 at 7:08PM

I would suggest that you try to avoid getting into discussions of the business model. You are not going to buy stuff you don't want as charity just because s/he is a relative. This is harder of course if you do use similar stuff.

Snakey · 22 February 2015 at 7:20PM

Any business model that relies on a person's friends and family all regularly buying things they don't want is going to fail - everybody will "let her down" sooner or later. And if it does happen to be a great product at a great price, she won't need your custom.

It's easier to opt out before you start than to try to extract yourself later. I doubt you'll be the only person who says thanks but no thanks. She'll be more upset if you were one of the few that she was pinning her hopes on than if you are one of the many who say no right away.

How to be diplomatic?

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